Two in a row might be the latest record for Peyton Manning.
The Broncos’ quarterback did not practice Wednesday, the second consecutive session he has missed this week ahead of the team’s first playoff game on Sunday, Jan. 11.
Manning, who is dealing with a thigh injury he sustained in Week 15 against the Chargers, had said that he needed the bye week to recover. And he clearly wasn’t lying.
“I’m trying to take advantage of the time (off), trying to get some time to get to feeling better, and a lot of guys have done the same thing,” Manning told reporters Wednesday. “… Hopefully that serves us well and everybody will be ready to go and get back to practice next week.”
While Manning hasn’t been shy in the past about taking a day off to rest, missing back-to-back practices is believed to be a first for the 38-year-old.
When asked if he expected Manning to return to practice next week, coach John Fox responded, “It’s safe to say, yes.”
Linebacker Brandon Marshall also was absent Wednesday as he continues to recover from a left foot injury that kept him out of the Broncos’ season finale against the Raiders.
Orlando Franklin and David Bruton, both going through the league-mandated concussion protocol, also were missing. And receivers Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas appeared to be limited, going through light drills without pads or their helmets.
Nicki Jhabvala: njhabvala@denverpost.com or at twitter.com/nickijhabvala
